COUNCIL leaders have reassured residents a raft of major projects across south Essex will go ahead despite the EU referendum result.

In Southend projects to ease congestion on the A127 at Kent Elms and the Bell junctions will be unaffected as will plans to transform the Queensway town centre area as they do not depend on EU funding.

But Southend Council leader John Lamb said it could take months to fully understand the impact of the vote on local authorities which had benefited from EU funding in the past.

He said: “Whatever your view on the referendum and the result, it is a fact that Southend has been successful accessing EU funding over the years. This funding has helped to deliver a variety of projects, from the Pier Hill and High Street improvements, employment driven projects such as business support grants for small businesses, to funding to improve our local cycling network.

“Over the coming weeks and months, officers and councillors will be assessing the impact of the referendum result on the local economy and projects that receive European funding. Our current understanding is that projects already underway will continue and those which are being assessed for approval will also continue via the normal process, so there should be no immediate impact.”

The shock result has left Basildon Council struggling to weigh up the impact on the authority and it was unable give the Echo any information at this time.

Major things going on in Basildon include proposals to build “leisure square” of restaurants and shops in East Square, Basildon town centre.

A new South Essex College campus is planned for the town centre with Basildon Market to St Martin’s Square.

All of these remain unaffected by the changes.

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, said: “These projects will go ahead as they are private and council funded. East Square is funded by the council and the administration is pushing that forward. The college is the result of a 106 agreement from the developers of Dry Street.

“I’m not aware of anything that will be affected.

“We’ve got to be professional about it but we’ve never been in this position before and we don’t knee jerk reactions. We need time to work it through.”

Mr Turner added: “We don’t want to create any voids or vacuums. We’ve got two years to do this and we want to avoid the pitfalls and exit on a high.

The regeneration of Hadleigh has been planned for years but it too is safe.

Colin Riley, leader of Castle Point Council said: “There is no EU funding involved in the Castle Point regeneration. It is all being funded by Essex County Council and and regional parties so there are no funding issues.

“Anything that was linked to EU funding would be alright as it will take two years to leave the EU.”

The Local Government Association is lobbying for local authorities to have a seat at the negotiation table in order to protect their interests.

Southend Council leader John Lamb said: “EU laws and regulations impact on many council services, including how we buy our goods, employment law, health and safety, consumer protection and trading and environmental standards so moving forwards we must also consider the impact of any changes in these areas.”